Elizabethan Playwright

By -

 The Age of Elizabeth and Playwrights


University Wits-
A group of young men mostly belongs to Oxford and Cambridge. Their themes were common- They were fond of Heroic themes. The heroic theme needs heroic treatment with great fullness and variety, splendid descriptions, and long swelling speeches. The style was 'heroic', and the chief aim was to achieve solid, sound lines and a powerful declaration. The themes were usually tragic in nature. 

Important playrights of University Wits are-

(a) George Peele (1558-98) was born in London and educated at Christ's Hospital and at Oxford. His play includes- "The Araygnement of Paris"(1584), "The Famous Chronicle of King Edward the Frist"(1593), "The Old Wives"(1591-94), "The Love of King David and Fair Bethsabe"(published in 1599).

(b) Robert Greene (1558-92)  was born in Norwich, educated at Cambridge (1575) and Oxford (1588), and took literary life in London. His plays are four in number- "Alphonsus, King of Aragon"(1587), "Orlando Furioso"(1591), and "The Scottish Historie of James the Fourth"(acted in 1592).

(c) Thomas Nash (1567-1601)  was born at Lowestoft, educated at Cambridge and went to London to make his living by literature.
His works are- "Summer's Last Will and Treatment"(1592), a satirical masque, "The Unfortunate Traveller, or the Life of Jacke Wilton"(1592), a prose tale.

(d) Thomas Lodge(1558-1625)  was the son of the Lord Mayor of London, educated at Oxford, and studied law. His dramatic work is small in quantity. 

(e) Thomas Kyd(1558-1594)  is one of the most important University Wits. Born in London, educated at Marchant Taylor's school and adopted a literary career. Much of his works have been lost, but his one surviving play is- "The Spanish Tragedie"(about 1585). Other plays are- "Cornelia"(1593), "Soliman and Perseda"(1588), "The First Part of Jeronimo"(1592).

(f) Christopher Marlowe(1564-1593)  was the greatest pre-Shakesperian dramatist, born at Canterbury and educated at Cambridge, He adopted a literary career as a profession. His all plays or tragedies were written within five years 1587-92. His works include- "Tamburlaine the Great" (1587), "Jew of Malta"(1589), "Edward II" (1591), and "The Tragedy of Dido, Queen of Carthage" (1593).


OTHER IMPORTANT DRAMATISTS ARE:-

1. WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE 

POST-SHAKESPEARIAN DRAMATIST:-

(1) Ben Jonson(1573(?)- 1637) a posthumous child was born in Westminister and educated at Westminister school. Johnson's numerous works in comedies, tragedies, masques and lyrics are widely varying merit. His early comedies include- “Every Man in his humour” (1598), “Every man out of his humour” (1599), “Cynthia’s Revels” (1600), and “The Poetaster” (1601). His “Everyman in his humour” is his most excellent work. The middle group comedies include- “Volpone, or The Fox” (1605), “Epicaene, or The Silent Women” 1(609),  “The Alchemist” (1610), and “BartholomewFayre” (1614). His middle-group comedies are satirical in tone. "Epicaene" and "Bartholomew Fayre" are written entirely in prose. and "The Alchemist" is entirely in blank verse. His later comedies are- "The Devil is an Ass" (1616), and "The Staple of News" (1625). His two Historical tragedies are- "Sejanus his Fall"(1603), and "Catiline his Conspiracy" (1611). He also wrote masques. His best-known masques are- "The Masque of Beauty" (1608), "The Masque of Queen" (1609), and "Oberon, the Fairy Prince" (1611).

(2) Francis Beaumont (1584-1616) and John Fletcher (1579-1625) combined produced a great number of comedies, especially in the comedy of London life. Their plots sustain interest and are often ingenious, lively and entertaining. The plays sustain a high level of lucidity and simplicity in their style full of witty dialogue. Their comedies are- "A King and no King" (1611), "The Knight of the Burning Pestle" (1607(?)), "The Scornful Lady" (1613-1616). Their tragedies are- "The Maid's Tragedy" (1610(?)), "Philaster" (1611).

(3) John Marston (1575-1634) was born at Coventry, educated at Oxford and become a literary figure in London and took holy orders. He specialised in violent and melodramatic tragedies. His work includes- "Antonia and Mellida" (1599), and "Antonio's Revenge" (1602).

(4) Thomas Dekker (1572-1632) was born in London. His best plays are- "Old Fortunatus" (1599), "The Shoemakers' Holiday" (1599), and "Satiromastix" (1602). He collaborated with Ford and Rowley and produced- "The Witch of Edmonton" (1612). He also collaborated with Massinger and produced "The Virgin Martyr" (1620).

(5) Thomas Middelton (1570-1627) was born in London. He is one the most equable and literary dramatists of the age. His work "The Changeling" (1624) is a powerful play and was praised by Lamb and others. Other works include- "Women Beware Women" (1622), "The Witch", and "The Spanish Gipsy" (1623). Along with Dekker, he produced- "The Roaring Girle or Moll Cutpurse" (1611).

(6) Thomas Heywood (1575-1650) was born in Lincolnshire in about 1575, educated at Cambridge and become an author and dramatist in London. His best play is "A Woman Killed with Kindness" (1603). Other works are- "The English Traveller" (1633), "The Royall King and the Loyall Subject" (1602(?)), "The Captives" (1624).

(7) George Champan (1559-1634) was born at Hitchin and died in London. He writes well and has firmness, competence and variety. He wrote both Historical plays and Comedies. His historical plays are both comical and tragic. His historical plays are- "The Blind Begger of Alexendria" (1596): it is his first play, "Charles, Duke of Byron" (1608), and "The Tragedy of Chabot" (1613). Champan's comedy includes- "All Fools" (1605) and "Eastward Hoe!" (1605).





Source:-
History of English Literature
by Edward Albert & W.J. Long.